Japanese sword mountings are the various housings and associated fittings ('' tosogu'') that hold the blade of a

Japanese sword A is one of several types of traditionally made swords from Japan. Bronze swords were made as early as the Yayoi period (1000 BC – 300 AD), though most people generally refer to the curved blades made from the Heian period (794 – 1185) to t ...

when it is being worn or stored. refers to the ornate mountings of a

(e.g. ''

katana A is a Japanese sword characterized by a curved, single-edged blade with a circular or squared guard and long grip to accommodate two hands. Developed later than the ''tachi'', it was used by samurai in feudal Japan and worn with the edge ...

'') used when the sword blade is being worn by its owner, whereas the ''

shirasaya Japanese sword mountings are the various housings and associated fittings ('' tosogu'') that hold the blade of a Japanese sword when it is being worn or stored. refers to the ornate mountings of a Japanese sword (e.g. ''katana'') used when the ...

'' is a plain undecorated wooden mounting composed of a '' saya'' and '' tsuka'' that the sword blade is stored in when not being used.

Components

*: The '' fuchi'' is a hilt collar between the '' tsuka'' and the ''

tsuba Japanese sword mountings are the various housings and associated fittings ('' tosogu'') that hold the blade of a Japanese sword when it is being worn or stored. refers to the ornate mountings of a Japanese sword (e.g. '' katana'') used when t ...

''. *: The '' habaki'' is a wedge-shaped metal collar used to keep the sword from falling out of the '' saya'' and to support the fittings below; fitted at the ''ha-machi'' and ''mune-machi'' which precede the '' nakago''. *: a hook shaped fitting used to lock the ''saya'' to the '' obi'' while drawing. *: The ''kashira'' is a butt cap (or pommel) on the end of the ''tsuka''. *: The '' kōgai'' is a spike for hair arranging carried sometimes as part of katana-koshirae in another pocket. *: The '' koiguchi'' is the mouth of the ''saya'' or its fitting; traditionally made of buffalo horn. *: The '' kojiri'' is the end of the ''saya'' or the protective fitting at the end of the ''saya''; also traditionally made of buffalo horn. *: The '' kozuka'' is a decorative handle fitting for the ''kogatana''; a small utility knife fit into a pocket on the ''saya''. *: The '' kuri-kata'' is a knob on the side of the ''saya'' for attaching the ''sageo''. *: The '' mekugi'' is a small peg for securing the ''tsuka'' to the ''nakago''. *: The '' menuki'' are ornaments on the ''tsuka'' (generally under the tsuka-ito); Originally menuki were a cover for the mekugi to hold the peg/s in place. On Tachi worn edge down orientation at palm to orient the sword. On Katana orientation is at fingertips to orient the sword. *: The '' mekugi-ana'' are the holes in the ''tsuka'' and ''nakago'' for the ''mekugi''. *: The ''

sageo Japanese sword mountings are the various housings and associated fittings ('' tosogu'') that hold the blade of a Japanese sword when it is being worn or stored. refers to the ornate mountings of a Japanese sword (e.g. ''katana'') used when the ...

'' is the cord used to tie ''saya'' to the belt/obi when worn. *: literally the pattern of the ray skin. *: '' same-kawa'' is the ray or shark skin wrapping of the ''tsuka '' (handle/hilt). *: The '' saya'' is a wooden scabbard for the blade; traditionally done in lacquered wood. *: The '' seppa'' are washers above and below the ''tsuba'' to tighten the fittings. *: an accent on the ''kurikata'' for aesthetic purposes; often done in gold-ish metal in modern reproductions. *: The ''

'' is a hand guard. *: The '' tsuka'' is the hilt or handle; made of wood and wrapped in ''samegawa''. *: the art of wrapping the ''tsuka'', including the most common ''hineri maki'' and ''katate maki'' (battle wrap). There are also more elaborate and artistic wrapping techniques, like ''

Jabara maki Jabara may refer to: * Jabara (citrus), the plant and fruit of the Japanese citrus family * Jabara (instrument), a type of cymbal associated with the Korean musical tradition '' Daechwita'' * Jabara, Estonia, a village in Estonia * Halil-Salim Jab ...

''. *: '' Tsuka-ito'' the wrap of the ''tsuka'', traditionally silk but today most often in cotton and sometimes leather File:黒蝋色塗鞘大小拵, Black Waxed Scabbards with Sword Fittings.jpg, Two antique ''koshirae'', ''

'' (top), ''

wakizashi The is one of the traditionally made Japanese swords (''nihontō'') worn by the samurai in feudal Japan. History and use The production of swords in Japan is divided into specific time periods:

'' (bottom), in the form of a ''

daishō The —literally "big-little"—is a Japanese term for a matched pair of traditionally made Japanese swords (''nihonto'') worn by the samurai class in feudal Japan. Description The etymology of the word ''daishō'' becomes apparent when the ...

'' (matched set).

Edo period The or is the period between 1603 and 1867 in the history of Japan, when Japan was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate and the country's 300 regional '' daimyo''. Emerging from the chaos of the Sengoku period, the Edo period was character ...

, 19th century.

Tokyo Fuji Art Museum was established by Daisaku Ikeda and opened near the Sōka University , abbreviated typically as or , is a private university in Hachiōji, Tokyo, Japan. In 2014, the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology ...

. File:Blade and Mounting for a Short Sword (Wakizashi) 2.jpg, Wakizashi mounting decorated with images of old coins. 1800s.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art The Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York City, colloquially "the Met", is the largest art museum in the Americas. Its permanent collection contains over two million works, divided among 17 curatorial departments. The main building at 1000 ...

File:倶利伽羅龍図三所物後藤顕乗, Kogai, kozuka, and menuki made by Gotō Kenjō.jpg, Kōgai (bottom), kozuka (top right), and menuki (top left) made by Gotō Kenjō. Early Edo period. Designated as Special Important Fitting by NBTHK. File:松樹尾長鳥図大小鍔石黒政美, Tsuba and fuchigashira made by Ishiguro Masayoshi.jpg, Fuchigashira (top) and tsuba (bottom) made by Ishiguro Masayoshi. Late Edo period. Designated as Special Important Fitting by NBTHK. File:藻鯉図鐔, Sword Guard (Tsuba) with the Carp and Seaweed Motif.jpg, Tsuba with the Koi and Seaweed Motif, made by Kansai, Edo period, The Metropolitan Museum of Art. File:Pair of Sword Guards (Tsuba).jpg, A tsuba created by Sunagawa Masayoshi. 1800s. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

''Shirasaya''

A , "white scabbard", is a plain

wood Wood is a porous and fibrous structural tissue found in the stems and roots of trees and other woody plants. It is an organic materiala natural composite of cellulose fibers that are strong in tension and embedded in a matrix of lignin ...

en Japanese sword ''saya'' (

scabbard A scabbard is a sheath for holding a sword, knife, or other large blade. As well, rifles may be stored in a scabbard by horse riders. Military cavalry and cowboys had scabbards for their saddle ring carbine rifles and lever-action rifles on the ...

) and ''tsuka'' (

hilt The hilt (rarely called a haft or shaft) of a knife, dagger, sword, or bayonet is its handle, consisting of a guard, grip and pommel. The guard may contain a crossguard or quillons. A tassel or sword knot may be attached to the guard or pommel ...

), traditionally made of nurizaya wood and used when a blade was not expected to see use for some time and needed to be stored. They were externally featureless save for the needed ''mekugi-ana'' to secure the ''nakago'' (

tang Tang or TANG most often refers to: * Tang dynasty * Tang (drink mix) Tang or TANG may also refer to: Chinese states and dynasties * Jin (Chinese state) (11th century – 376 BC), a state during the Spring and Autumn period, called Tang (唐) ...

), though sometimes (blade information) was also present. The need for specialized storage is because prolonged '' koshirae'' mounting harmed the blade, owing to factors such as the

lacquer Lacquer is a type of hard and usually shiny coating or finish applied to materials such as wood or metal. It is most often made from resin extracted from trees and waxes and has been in use since antiquity. Asian lacquerware, which may be c ...

ed wood retaining

moisture Moisture is the presence of a liquid, especially water, often in trace amounts. Small amounts of water may be found, for example, in the air (humidity), in foods, and in some commercial products. Moisture also refers to the amount of water vapo ...

and encouraging

corrosion Corrosion is a natural process that converts a refined metal into a more chemically stable oxide. It is the gradual deterioration of materials (usually a metal) by chemical or electrochemical reaction with their environment. Corrosion engi ...

. Such mountings are not intended for actual combat, as the lack of a ''

'' (guard) and proper handle wrappings were deleterious; as such they would likely never make their way onto a battlefield. However, there have been loosely similar "hidden" mountings, such as the ''

shikomizue Japanese sword mountings are the various housings and associated fittings ('' tosogu'') that hold the blade of a Japanese sword when it is being worn or stored. refers to the ornate mountings of a Japanese sword (e.g. ''katana'') used when the ...

''. Also, many blades dating back to earlier

Japanese history The first human inhabitants of the Japanese archipelago have been traced to prehistoric times around 30,000 BC. The Jōmon period, named after its cord-marked pottery, was followed by the Yayoi period in the first millennium BC when new inventi ...

are today sold in such a format, along with modern-day reproductions; while most are purely decorative replicas, a few have functional blades.

''Shirasaya'' gallery

File:Daisho set of shirasaya.jpg, A ''daisho'' set of Japanese sword storage mounts (''shirasaya'') for ''katana'' (top) and ''wakizashi'' (bottom). File:Saya-bois.jpg, A typical ''shirasaya'' with (attribution or appraisal written on a ''shirasaya'') File:Naginata shirasaya.jpg, ''Naginata shirasaya'' File:Yari tanto shirasaya.JPG, ''Tanto shirasaya'' File:Wakizashi 2.JPG, ''Wakizashi'' mounted in ''shirasaya'' File:Yari shirasaya.JPG, ''Yari shirasaya''

''Koshirae''

The word ''koshirae'' is derived from the verb , which is no longer used in current speech. More commonly "tsukuru" is used in its place with both words meaning to "make, create, manufacture." A more accurate word is , meaning sword-furniture, where are the parts of the mounting in general, and "kanagu" stands for those made of metal. are the "outer" mountings, as opposed to , the "body" of the sword. A ''koshirae'' should be presented with the ''tsuka'' (

) to the left, particularly in times of peace with the reason being that you cannot unsheathe the sword easily this way. During the Edo period, many formalized rules were put into place: in times of war the hilt should be presented to the right allowing the sword to be readily unsheathed. Koshirae were meant not only for functional but also for aesthetic purposes, often using a family ''

mon Mon, MON or Mon. may refer to: Places * Mon State, a subdivision of Myanmar * Mon, India, a town in Nagaland * Mon district, Nagaland * Mon, Raebareli, a village in Uttar Pradesh, India * Mon, Switzerland, a village in the Canton of Grisons * A ...

'' ( crest) for identification.

Types of ''koshirae''

''Tachi''

The ''tachi'' (太刀) style ''koshirae'' is the primary style of mounting used for the ''

tachi A is a type of traditionally made Japanese sword (''nihonto'') worn by the samurai class of feudal Japan. ''Tachi'' and ''katana'' generally differ in length, degree of curvature, and how they were worn when sheathed, the latter depending on t ...

'', where the sword is suspended edge-down from two hangers (''ashi'') attached to the '' obi''. The

often had a slightly stronger curvature than the

blade A blade is the portion of a tool, weapon, or machine with an edge that is designed to puncture, chop, slice or scrape surfaces or materials. Blades are typically made from materials that are harder than those they are to be used on. Histor ...

, continuing the classic ''tachi'' increase in curvature going from the tip to the hilt. The hilt was usually secured with two pegs ''(mekugi)'', as compared to one peg for shorter blades including ''

''. The ''tachi'' style ''koshirae'' preceded the ''katana'' style ''koshirae''.

''Katana''

The ''katana'' (刀) style ''koshirae'' is the most commonly known ''koshirae'' and it is what is most associated with a ''samurai'' sword. Swords mounted in this manner are worn with the cutting edge up as opposed to the ''tachi'' mounting, in which the sword is worn with the cutting edge down.

''Han-dachi'' (half ''tachi'')

The ''han-dachi'' (半太刀) ''koshirae'' was worn ''katana''-style but included some ''tachi'' related fittings such as a ''kabuto-gane'' instead of a ''kashira''.

''Aikuchi''

The is a form of ''koshirae'' for small swords in which the

and the

meet without a crossguard between them.
''The Japanese sword'',Kanzan Satō, Kodansha International, May 30, 1983 P.196 The word literally means ''ai'' ("meeting") + ''kuchi'' ("mouth; opening"), in reference to the way the hilt fits directly against the scabbard. Originally used on the koshigatana (a precursor to the

) to facilitate close wearing with armour, it became a fashionable upper-class mounting style for a ''

tantō A is one of the traditionally made Japanese swords (Commons:Nihonto, ''nihonto'') that were worn by the samurai class of feudal Japan. The tantō dates to the Heian period, when it was mainly used as a weapon but evolved in design over the year ...

'' (literally, "small sword", nowadays regarded as a

dagger A dagger is a fighting knife with a very sharp point and usually two sharp edges, typically designed or capable of being used as a thrusting or stabbing weapon.State v. Martin, 633 S.W.2d 80 (Mo. 1982): This is the dictionary or popular-use def ...

) from the

Kamakura period The is a period of Japanese history that marks the governance by the Kamakura shogunate, officially established in 1192 in Kamakura by the first ''shōgun'' Minamoto no Yoritomo after the conclusion of the Genpei War, which saw the struggle b ...

onwards.

''Shikomizue''

The or ''jotō'' (杖刀, "staff sword") is a Japanese swordstick. It is most famous for its use by the

fictional Fiction is any creative work, chiefly any narrative work, portraying individuals, events, or places that are imaginary, or in ways that are imaginary. Fictional portrayals are thus inconsistent with history, fact, or plausibility. In a tradit ...

swordmaster

Zatoichi is a fictional character created by Japanese novelist Kan Shimozawa. He is an itinerant blind masseur and swordsman of Japan's late Edo period (1830s and 1840s). He first appeared in the 1948 essay , part of Shimozawa's ''Futokoro Techō'' se ...

. The sword blade was placed in a cane-like mounting (''tsue'') as concealment. These mountings are not to be confused with the

Shirasaya Japanese sword mountings are the various housings and associated fittings ('' tosogu'') that hold the blade of a Japanese sword when it is being worn or stored. refers to the ornate mountings of a Japanese sword (e.g. ''katana'') used when the ...

(白鞘, "white scabbard"), which were just plain wooden mountings with no decoration other than (sometimes) a short description of the contents. Some ''shikomi-zue'' also concealed ''

metsubushi or ''gantsubushi'' are a variety of implements and techniques that were used in feudal Japan by samurai police and other individuals to temporarily or permanently blind or disorient an opponent. Description One type of ''metsubushi'' was used ...

'', chains, hooks, and many other things. ''Shikomi-zue'' could be carried in public without arousing suspicion, making them perfect tools for ''

shinobi A or was a covert agent or mercenary in feudal Japan. The functions of a ninja included reconnaissance, espionage, infiltration, deception, ambush, bodyguarding and their fighting skills in martial arts, including ninjutsu.Kawakami, pp. 21� ...

''.

''Kaiken''

The ''

kaiken A is a long, single (or rare double-edged) knife without ornamental fittings housed in a plain mount. Uses It was once carried by men and women of the samurai class in Japan. It was useful for self-defense in indoor spaces where the long blad ...

'' (懐剣) is an 8–10 inch long, single- or double-edged

without ornamental fittings housed in a plain mount, formerly carried by men and women of the

samurai were the hereditary military nobility and officer caste of medieval and early-modern Japan from the late 12th century until their abolition in 1876. They were the well-paid retainers of the '' daimyo'' (the great feudal landholders). They ...

class in Japan. It was useful for self-defense indoors where the long ''

'' and intermediate ''

'' were inconvenient. Women carried them in their

kimono The is a traditional Japanese garment and the national dress of Japan. The kimono is a wrapped-front garment with square sleeves and a rectangular body, and is worn left side wrapped over right, unless the wearer is deceased. The kimono ...

either in a pocket like fold or in the sleeve for self-defense or for suicide by means of slashing the jugular veins and carotid artery in the left side of the neck.

''Koshirae'' gallery

File:Tanto-baroque-p1000709.jpg, ''

Tantō A is one of the traditionally made Japanese swords (Commons:Nihonto, ''nihonto'') that were worn by the samurai class of feudal Japan. The tantō dates to the Heian period, when it was mainly used as a weapon but evolved in design over the year ...

'' mounted in ''aikuchi'' style ''koshirae'' File:Shikomizue koshirae.jpg, ''Shikomizue koshirae'' File:Tachi-p1000618.jpg, ''Tachi'' and ''tachi koshirae'' File:Kaiken or kwaiken tanto.jpg, ''Kaiken (kwaiken) tanto'' File:Edo period Wakizashi.jpg, ''Wakizashi koshirae'' File:Kawabe Masahide II - Dagger with Cherry Blossoms - Walters 511184.jpg, ''Tanto koshirae''

Parts of the ''koshirae''

''Saya''

is the

Japanese Japanese may refer to: * Something from or related to Japan, an island country in East Asia * Japanese language, spoken mainly in Japan * Japanese people, the ethnic group that identifies with Japan through ancestry or culture ** Japanese diaspor ...

term for a

, and specifically refers to the scabbard for a sword or knife. The saya of a koshirae (scabbards for practical use) are normally manufactured from very lightweight wood, with a coat of lacquer on the exterior. Correct drawing and sheathing of the blade involves contacting the mune (the back of the blade) rather than ha (the edge) to the inside of the scabbard. The saya also has a on one side for attaching a braided cord (''

''), and may have a shitodome (mounting loop) to accent the as well as an made from metal. Traditionally the koiguchi (the throat of the scabbard) and kojiri (the

chape Chape has had various meanings in English, but the predominant one is a protective fitting at the bottom of a scabbard or sheath for a sword or dagger (10 in the diagram). Historic blade weapons often had leather scabbards with metal fittings a ...

) were made from buffalo horn. File:Katana saya 2.jpg, ''Katana saya'' File:Naginata saya.JPG, ''Naginata saya'' File:Tanto saya.jpg, ''Tanto saya'' File:Wakizashi saya.jpg, ''Wakizashi saya'' The ''Saya'' is divided in parts: * Sageo A is a hanging cord made of silk, cotton or leather that is passed through the hole in the (栗形) of a

's '' saya''. There are a number of different methods for wrapping and tying the sageo on the '' saya'' for display purposes. Other uses for the sageo are tying the sword to the samurai and hojojutsu. The samurai felt the sageo formed a spiritual bond between them and the sword, and they were very particular about tying it correctly when the sword was not in use. File:Katô Jûkashichi - Dagger with Quail Amidst Rice Stalks - Walters 511166.jpg File:Daisho sageo.jpg, A matched set (''daisho'') of ''sageo'' File:Kurikata and sageo 2.JPG * ''Kuri-kata'' The ''kurikata'' (栗形) is a knob that is attached to the scabbard of a Japanese sword. The ''sageo'' (cord) that secures the ''saya'' of the sword to the ''obi'' (belt) goes through a hole in the ''kurikata''. File:Kurikata and sageo.JPG File:Kurikata and sageo 1.JPG File:Japanese - Kurikata of a Rabbit - Walters 511132.jpg File:Masaharu - Kurikata with Plum Blossoms - Walters 51915 - Top.jpg File:Masaharu - Kurikata with Plum Blossoms - Walters 51915 - Back.jpg * ''Kojiri'' The ''kojiri'' (鐺) is the end cap of the scabbard or the protective fitting at the end of the scabbard. File:Kojiri.JPG File:Kojiri 1.JPG File:Jutte kojiri.jpg File:Japanese - Kojiri with Bukan - Walters 511134.jpg File:Japanese - Kojiri with Cricket and Cockroach - Walters 511135.jpg * ''Kogatana'' and ''kozuka'' ''Kogatana'' (小刀), a small utility knife that fits into a pocket on the scabbard, the ''kozuka'' is the decorative handle for the ''kogatana''. File:Yari tanto aikuchi koshirae.JPG, File:Kozuka.JPG, File:Japanese - Kozuka with Waves - Walters 5112863.jpg File:Japanese - Kozuka with Phoenix - Walters 5112024.jpg File:Japanese - Kozuka with a Hollyhock Creast - Walters 5111884.jpg * kōgai The ''kōgai'' (笄) is a spike for hair arranging that fits into a pocket on the ''saya''. File:Koshirae with kogai.jpg, ''Tanto koshirae'' showing a ''kōgai'' in its pocket File:Okada Setsuga - Kogai with Birds in Flight - Walters 5112914.jpg File:Gotô Mitsunobu - Kogai with Chinese-style Lions - Walters 5112555.jpg File:Unno Moritoshi - Kogai with Autumn Flowers - Walters 5111934.jpg File:Japanese - Kogai with Dragon in Clouds - Walters 5112155.jpg * ''Umabari'' The ''umabari'' (馬針) is a small knife that is a variation of the ''kogatana'', it fits into a pocket on the ''saya''. File:Irie Sadayoshi - Umabari with Bird and Waves - Walters 5112943.jpg File:Japanese - Umabari with Waves - Walters 5112114.jpg File:Japanese - Umabari with Waves and Clouds - Walters 5112125.jpg File:Hagiya Katsuhira - Umabari with Waterfall - Walters 5112054.jpg File:Japanese - Umabari with Plum Blossoms - Walters 5111614.jpg

''Tsuka''

The ''tsuka'' (柄) is the hilt or handle of a Japanese sword. File:Daisho tsuka.jpg, Two tsuka ''katana'' (top), ''wakizashi'' (bottom) in the form of a ''daisho'' (matched set) File:Tsuka.jpg, ''Katana tsuka'' File:Antique Japanese (samurai) tachi tsuka.jpg, ''Tachi tsuka'' File:Tsuka and mekugi.JPG, ''Wakizashi tsuka'' File:Japanese - Tsuka with Gentian Crests - Walters 5112673.jpg, ''Tsuka'' constructed as a single piece and does not have individual separate ''fuchi'', ''kashira'', and ''menuki'' The ''tsuka'' is divided in the following parts: * Menuki The ''menuki'' (目貫) are ornaments on the ''tsuka'' (generally under the ''tsuka-ito''); to fit into the palm for grip. File:Japanese - Tsuka with Dragons - Walters 5112313B - Back.jpg File:Japanese - Tsuka with Catfish Menuki - Walters 5111453B.jpg File:Ishiguro Koreyoshi - Tsuka with Frog, Lotus Blossom and Geese - Walters 5112872b - Back.jpg, ''Tsuka'' with a ''menuki'' in the shape of standing goose with bamboo File:Menuki.jpg File:Japanese - Menuki with Horse and Rider - Walters 511440.jpg, ''Menuki'' with horse and rider * ''Samegawa'' ''Samegawa'' (鮫皮) is the

ray Ray may refer to: Fish * Ray (fish), any cartilaginous fish of the superorder Batoidea * Ray (fish fin anatomy), a bony or horny spine on a fin Science and mathematics * Ray (geometry), half of a line proceeding from an initial point * Ray (gr ...

skin used to cover or wrap the handle. File:Japanese - Tsuka with Fudô Myô-ô and Kongara Dôji - Walters 5112232B.jpg File:Tsuka same' 1.JPG, ''Tsuka'' showing the ''samegawa'' File:Tsuka (tanto).jpg, ''Tanto tsuka'' showing the ''samegawa'' File:Japanese - Tsuka with Ferns - Walters 5112162B.jpg File:Antique Japanese tachi tsuka 1.jpg * ''Tsuka-ito'' ''Tsuka-ito'' (柄糸) is the wrapping of the ''tsuka'', traditionally silk but today more often cotton and sometimes, leather. Kashira and tsuka-ito.JPG File:Tsuka 3.JPG File:Tsuka.JPG File:Japanese - Tsuka with Menuki of Mounted Riders - Walters 5112153B.jpg File:Japanese - Tsuka with Paulownia Menuki and Silk - Walters 5111723B.jpg * ''Fuchi'' ''Fuchi'' (縁), a cap type collar or ferrule which covers the opening in the ''tsuka'' of a Japanese sword. The tang of the sword goes into the ''tsuka'' through the opening in the ''fuchi''. File:Fuchi, koiguchi and tsuka-ito.JPG, ''Katana fuchi'' File:Daisho fuchi.jpg, A ''daisho'' pair of ''fuchi'' File:Fuchi 1.JPG File:Akihiro - Fuchi with Dragon and Jewel - Walters 5112013A.jpg, ''Fuchi'' with dragon File:Hagiya Katsuhira - Fuchi with Crouching Lions - Walters 5112052.jpg, ''Fuchi'' with crouching lions * ''Kashira'' The ''kashira'' (頭) is the end cap (pommel) on the ''tsuka''. File:Kashira 1.JPG, ''Katana kashira'' File:Daisho kashira 1.jpg, ''Daisho kashira'', ''wakizashi'' and ''katana'' File:Hamano Masayoshi - Kashira with Samurai - Walters 511037.jpg, ''Kashira'' with ''samurai'' File:Hironao - Kashira with Herons and Reeds - Walters 51929.jpg, ''Kashira'' with herons and reeds File:Japanese - Tsuka with Chrysanthemums - Walters 5112283B - Detail A.jpg

''Tsuba''

The is usually a round (or occasionally squarish) guard at the end of the grip of bladed Japanese weapons, like the ''

'' and its variations, ''

'', ''

naginata The ''naginata'' (, ) is a pole weapon and one of several varieties of traditionally made Japanese blades (''nihontō''). ''Naginata'' were originally used by the samurai class of feudal Japan, as well as by ashigaru (foot soldiers) and sōhei ...

'' etc. They contribute to the balance of the weapon and to the protection of the hand. The ''tsuba'' was mostly meant to be used to prevent the hand from sliding onto the blade during thrusts as opposed to protecting from an opponent's blade. The ''chudan no kamae'' guard is determined by the ''tsuba'' and the curvature of the blade. The diameter of the average ''katana'' ''tsuba'' is , ''wakizashi'' ''tsuba'' is , and ''tantō'' ''tsuba'' is . During the

Muromachi period The is a division of Japanese history running from approximately 1336 to 1573. The period marks the governance of the Muromachi or Ashikaga shogunate (''Muromachi bakufu'' or ''Ashikaga bakufu''), which was officially established in 1338 by ...

(1333–1573) and the

Momoyama period Momoyama may refer to: History *Azuchi–Momoyama period, the final phase of the Sengoku period in Japanese history 1568–1600 People *Ion Momoyama, Japanese singer and voice actor *Momoyama Kenichi (1909–1991), Korean prince and cavalry office ...

(1573–1603) ''Tsuba'' were more for functionality than for decoration, being made of stronger metals and designs. During the

(1603–1868) there was peace in Japan so ''tsuba'' became more ornamental and made of less practical metals such as gold. ''Tsuba'' are usually finely decorated, and nowadays are collectors' items. ''Tsuba'' were made by whole dynasties of craftsmen whose only craft was making ''tsuba''. They were usually lavishly decorated. In addition to being collectors items, they were often used as heirlooms, passed from one generation to the next. Japanese families with

roots sometimes have their family crest (mon) crafted onto a ''tsuba''. ''Tsuba'' can be found in a variety of metals and alloys, including iron, steel, brass, copper and ''

shakudō ''Shakudō'' (赤銅) is a Japanese billon of gold and copper (typically 4–10% gold, 96–90% copper), one of the '' irogane'' class of colored metals, which can be treated to develop a black, or sometimes indigo, patina, resembling lacquer. ...

''. In a duel, two participants may lock their katana together at the point of the ''tsuba'' and push, trying to gain a better position from which to strike the other down. This is known as ''tsubazeriai'' (鍔迫り合い), lit. pushing ''tsuba'' against each other. ''Tsubazeriai'' is a common sight in modern ''

kendō is a modern Japanese martial art, descended from kenjutsu (one of the old Japanese martial arts, swordsmanship), that uses bamboo swords ( shinai) as well as protective armor (bōgu). Today, it is widely practiced within Japan and has spre ...

''. In modern Japanese, ''tsubazeriai'' (鍔迫り合い) has also come to mean "to be in fierce competition." File:Sword Guard (Tsuba) MET 29.100.1011 002feb2014.jpg, A tsuba carved with a

sika deer The sika deer (''Cervus nippon''), also known as the Northern spotted deer or the Japanese deer, is a species of deer native to much of East Asia and introduced to other parts of the world. Previously found from northern Vietnam in the south to ...

made by Fujiwara Toshiyoshi. 1800s. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. File:寿老人図鍔安親, Tsuba made by Yasuchika.jpg, Tsuba made by Tsuchiya Yasuchika. Mid-Edo period. Designated as Special Important Fitting by NBTHK. File:土蜘蛛退治図鐔 Tsuba with design of Minamoto no Yorimitsu confronting the Tsuchigumo.jpg, Two tsuba depicting

Minamoto no Yorimitsu , also known as Minamoto no Raikō, served the regents of the Fujiwara clan along with his brother Yorinobu, taking the violent measures the Fujiwara were themselves unable to take. He is one of the earliest Minamoto of historical note for his mil ...

trying to cut a tsuchigumo with a

named 'Hizamaru'. made by Unnno Yoshimori I (left), Gochiku Sadakatsu (right).

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston The Museum of Fine Arts (often abbreviated as MFA Boston or MFA) is an art museum in Boston, Massachusetts. It is the 20th-largest art museum in the world, measured by public gallery area. It contains 8,161 paintings and more than 450,000 works ...

. File:Japanese - Tsuba with a Frog in a Lotus Pond - Walters 51177 - Back.jpg, Lotus pond File:Japanese - Tsuba with Autumn Flowers - Walters 51294 - Back.jpg, ''Tsuba'' with autumn flowers File:Tamagawa Masaharu - Tsuba with a Monkey Teasing an Elephant with a Stick - Walters 51281.jpg, ''Tsuba'' with a monkey teasing an elephant with a stick File:Japanese_-_Tsuba_with_a_Dragonfly_-_Walters_51254.jpg, ''Tsuba'' with dragonfly in ''

shibuichi is a historically Japanese copper alloy, a member of the '' irogane'' class, which is patinated into a range of subtle greys and muted shades of blue, green, and brown, through the use of '' niiro'' processes, involving the ''rokushō'' compo ...

''Seppa''

The ''seppa'' (切羽) are washers used in front of and behind the ''tsuba'' to tighten the fittings. ''Seppa'' can be ornate or plain. File:Ken tanto tsuba and seppa.JPG, ''Tantō tsuba'' and two ''seppa'' File:Tsuba and seppa 1.JPG, ''Tantō tsuba'' and two ''seppa'' File:Yari tanto tsuba seppa and nakago.JPG, ''Yari tantō tsuba'' and two ''seppa'' File:Tsuba and seppa.JPG, ''Tsuba'' and two ''seppa'' File:Mekugi tsuba and seppa.JPG, ''Wakizashi tsuba'' and a single ''seppa''

''Habaki''

The is a piece of metal encircling the base of the blade of a Japanese sword. It has the double purpose of locking the ''

'' (guard) in place, and to maintain the weapon in its '' saya'' (scabbard). The importance of the ''habaki'' is seen in drawing the katana from the scabbard. It is drawn by grasping the scabbard near the top and pressing the guard with the thumb to emerge the blade just enough to unwedge the ''habaki'' from inside the scabbard in a process called . The blade, being freed, can be drawn out very quickly. This is known as , , or . This is obviously an extremely aggressive gesture, since a fatal cut can be given in a fraction of a second thereafter (see ''

iaidō , abbreviated , is a Japanese martial art that emphasizes being aware and capable of quickly drawing the sword and responding to sudden attacks.Christensen, Karen and Allen Guttmann et.al (2001) ''International Encyclopedia of Women and Spor ...

''). It is similar in connotation and effect as drawing back the

hammer A hammer is a tool, most often a hand tool, consisting of a weighted "head" fixed to a long handle that is swung to deliver an impact to a small area of an object. This can be, for example, to drive nails into wood, to shape metal (as wi ...

of a

handgun A handgun is a short-barrelled gun, typically a firearm, that is designed to be usable with only one hand. It is distinguished from a long gun (i.e. rifle, shotgun or machine gun, etc.), which needs to be held by both hands and also braced ag ...

, chambering a round on a

pump-action shotgun Pump action or slide action is a repeating firearm action that is operated manually by moving a sliding handguard on the gun's forestock. When shooting, the sliding forend is pulled rearward to eject any expended cartridge and typically to ...

, or pulling back and releasing the

charging handle The cocking handle, also known as charging handle or bolt handle, is a device on a firearm which, when manipulated, results in the bolt (firearms), bolt being pulled to the rear, putting the hammer (firearms), hammer/firing pin, striker into a spri ...

on other firearms. The expression "''tanka o kiru''" is now widely used in Japan, in the sense of "getting ready to begin something", or "getting ready to speak", especially with an aggressive connotation. The ''habaki'' will cause normal wear and tear inside the scabbard, and either a shim or a total replacement of the scabbard may be needed to remedy the issue as it will become too loose over time. Removing the ''habaki'' and oiling it after cutting or once every few months is recommended. File:Habaki de Tsuneharu Matsuda - 2016-04-19.jpg, A ''habaki'' in

gold Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au (from la, aurum) and atomic number 79. This makes it one of the higher atomic number elements that occur naturally. It is a bright, slightly orange-yellow, dense, soft, malleable, and ductile ...

File:Habaki, mekugi-ana.jpg, It is first inserted on the blade File:Naginata habaki and tsuba.jpg, Then the ''

'' is inserted too File:Daisho habaki.jpg, A pair of ''

'' with

silver Silver is a chemical element with the symbol Ag (from the Latin ', derived from the Proto-Indo-European ''h₂erǵ'': "shiny" or "white") and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it exhibits the highest electrical ...

''habaki''

Notes

References

External links

History of the Development of Koshirae

Martial Arts Weapons and Training
– The Sageo and How to Wear Your Katana

– Step by step guide to tying a Sageo (photos).

– Step by step guide to tying a Sageo (photos).
TakumiWarrior Sword Shop
– Exploration of Japanese Tsuba Designs (photos). {{DEFAULTSORT:Japanese Sword Mountings Mountings Samurai weapons and equipment